Installation and Maintenance Instructions for Rock-Flex
TM
Stainless Steel Chimney Lining System
General Product Information
The quality and workmanship of Rock-Flex
TM
is reflected in the recognition Underwriters Laboratories has given these products. The rigorous
UL testing and listing requirements is your assurance of consistent quality in materials and manufacturing standards used for these lining
systems. In addition, the industry leading Forever Lifetime Warranty on Rock-Flex
TM
is a further indication of our confidence in the quality of
this product. Thank you for choosing Rock-Flex
TM
!
The Rock Flex
TM
stainless steel lining systems are UL and ULC listed in 3”(7.6cm) to 12” (30.5cm) diameters. The lining system must be
installed by a qualified chimney or venting individual.
The criteria for installation must be in conformance with the specifications in the NFPA 211 (Standards for Chimneys, Fireplaces, Vents and
Solid Fuel Burning Appliances), National Building Code of Canada and local or state building codes, whichever has jurisdiction. Contact local
building or fire officials about restrictions and installation inspection in your area. It may be necessary to obtain permits before installing the
chimney liner. Contact the local building authority for permit information.
Product Applications
The Rock-Flex
TM
lining system is intended for use with heating appliances burning home heating oil, natural or LP gas and solid fuels (pellet,
wood and coal) vented through a masonry chimney. Use 316-type stainless steel Rock-Flex
TM
for wood burning appliances, coal-burning
appliances, oil burning appliances, gas burning appliances, and solid fuel burning appliances. Use AL29-4C type stainless steel Rock-Flex
TM
for high efficient oil burning and gas appliances. (Rock-Flex
TM
in AL29-4C should not be used with wood burning appliances). Use of
experimental fuels is not permitted and voids the warranty. The Rock-Flex
TM
system is intended for use in (1) new masonry chimneys, lined or
unlined, with at least (a nominal) 4”(10cm) of masonry all around, (2) an existing, properly built masonry chimney with cracked clay tile liner
and (3) factory-built chimneys. The lining system is intended to provide a properly sized flue for a heating appliance installed in a masonry
chimney that otherwise meets existing codes. The Rock-Flex
TM
liner may also be used as a flue for a fireplace. The liner must be connected to
the top of the smoke chamber by means of a bottom plate or other means, which provides an airtight and drip-free termination.
Chimney Inspection and Cleaning
Prior to installation of the lining system thoroughly inspect and clean the chimney. All creosote (including tar glaze creosote), soot, dirt and
debris must be removed before the installation of the liner. Thorough cleaning of the chimney is a warranty prerequisite. The chimney must be
inspected for cracked, loose or missing stones, bricks or mortar joints. A chimney that is not structurally sound should not be relined. Make
any repairs necessary before proceeding with the installation of the liner. As a precaution it is recommended that a short piece of lining
material of the diameter to be installed is connected to a pulling cone and is drawn through the masonry chimney. This will ensure that no
obstructions exist that should be removed and will result in a smoother installation of the system. Clearances inside the masonry chimney:
Minimum air space clearance of the liner to the interior surfaces of the masonry chimney to be maintained is zero millimeters (inches). The
flue passageway must be checked for the smooth installation of the proper diameter liner. The chimney must be built of solid masonry brick,
block or concrete blocks at least (a nominal) 4 inches (10cm) in thickness.
Exterior of Masonry Chimney
The surrounding chimney construction shall comply with the NFPA 211 code, CAN/CSA-A405, Design and Construction of Masonry
Chimneys and Fireplaces and/or the National Building Code of Canada. Clearance to combustibles must meet or exceed the requirements
contained in the above-mentioned codes, all applicable local building codes, and the manufacturer’s installation requirements. Note insulation
requirement section, which can permit zero clearance from exterior of masonry to combustibles in some cases.
Termination Above Roof
The termination of chimney above a roof must be in accord with the requirements contained in the NFPA 211 code and/or CAN/CSA-A405.
This code requires that a chimney terminate at least 3feet (0.9m) above the point where it penetrates the roof and 2 feet (0.6m) higher than
any structure within a 10-foot (3m) radius. All Rock-Flex
TM
installations must utilize a UL or ULC approved chimney cap.
Wall Penetration
For wall or chimney penetrations other than listed in our installation instructions consult the NFPA 211 code and/or CAN/CSA-A405 code and
any other local codes. Wall penetration assemblies cannot be located directly behind a heating appliance.
Sizing the Liner
For solid fuels, the liner is to be sized in accordance with the actual size (square inches or centimeters of the cross-sectional area) of the
exhaust opening of the appliance, unless otherwise specified in the manufacturer’s instructions. To determine the proper diameter of liner for
oil burning appliances refer to the NFPA 31 Oil Standard, the National Building Code of Canada, the Installation Code for Oil Burning
Equipment, CAN/CSA-B139, or the appliance manufacturer’s instructions; for LP or natural gas burning appliances refer to the NFPA 54 Fuel
Gas Code Book, CAN/CGA-B149.1 and CAN/CGA-B149.2 or the appliance manufacturer’s instructions. Local and/or state building codes,
whichever is the authority having jurisdiction, may specify other sizing requirements.
If the liner is for a fireplace chimney, the cross sectional area of a round liner is to be a minimum of 1/12th of the area of the face opening of
the fireplace. Oval, square or rectangle shaped liners shall be a minimum of 1/10th of the area of the face opening of the fireplace.
The overall length of the liner system will be determined by the components required, the height of the masonry chimney and the top
termination. The system should be a minimum of 8 feet (2.5m) in height but not greater than 75 feet (22m). If using two or more liner sections
joined together by means of a connector, any connector should support no more than 50 feet (15m) of liner.
Ovalized, Rectangularized or Squarized Liner
If a round liner will not fit the inside dimensions of a chimney, Rock-Flex
TM
liners may be ovalized, rectangularized or squarized at our factory
to allow for proper fit. Keep in mind that any change in the original round shape of the liner will alter its cross-sectional area. Refer to
Rockford Chimney Supply’s shaped liner charts found on our website or call for calculation assistance when ordering factory approved,
shaped liner. In fitting any factory-fabricated (ovalized, rectangularized or squarized) liner, you must ensure that you still maintain the required
cross-sectional area of the liner required for the appliance to be connected.
Insulation Requirements
For Solid Fuel Applications
Insulation provided for the Rock-Flex
TM
system will be a single ½” (13mm) thick layer of insulating blanket. This insulating system is listed
to allow zero clearance from the chimney masonry exterior to combustibles. The 8 lb. density insulating blanket must be wrapped around